Now Reading: Kolkata art academy room repainted saffron, white, saffron
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Kolkata art academy room repainted saffron, white, saffron
On Wednesday, BJP workers repainted a room at Kolkata's Academy of Fine Arts saffron, a day after theatre practitioners had painted it white. The room, left of the main entrance, became a…
The Story in Brief
On Wednesday, BJP workers repainted a room at Kolkata's Academy of Fine Arts saffron, a day after theatre practitioners had painted it white. The room, left of the main entrance, became a flashpoint in a broader battle over politics and cultural identity.
The dispute began in early July when the room was painted saffron and banners of PM Modi were put up. BJP Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya criticised the original move, but BJP MLA Rudranil Ghosh led the latest repainting, arguing saffron was not new to the space. Theatre veterans called it a state-sponsored attack on Bengali aesthetics. Mathrubhumi reports the room is used as a security guard area.
The Indian Opinion
The paint war is theatre, literally and politically. Each side claims victimhood, but the room's history shows both BJP and Trinamool Congress have used it for display. The real issue is whether political parties should treat cultural spaces as their billboards. Watch if the Academy management or the West Bengal government steps in to restore neutrality. If neither does, the colour will keep changing with the ruling party.
Source: english.mathrubhumi.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
